The following day, Patrick Anchor stays up all night reading the novel and cramming a heap of romance tips. Sporting dark circles under his eyes but with an excited demeanor, he rushes into the studio. He is more thrilled than if he were dating himself. However, upon entering the office, he feels a sense of betrayal when he sees Sebastian Vanderbilt calmly sitting in front of his computer.
"Why are you still here?" Patrick hurries over. "Shouldn't you be standing at her doorstep with flowers right now?" He adds urgently, "And what about the car, clothes, and hairstyle? None of it is prepared as we discussed!"
"I'm not in a rush; why are you acting like you care about this more than I do?" Sebastian smirks.
"Bro, you can't win a girl by sitting at home," Patrick says earnestly, trying to assume the role of a love manga again.
"I've already taken action," Sebastian replies with a smile, sipping his coffee. Patrick does have the makings of a top salesperson. The conversation from the previous day had left even the experienced Sebastian feeling fired up and almost ready to act. But after a night's sleep, rationality returns.
"You're kidding, right?" Patrick can't believe it. "Yesterday, you were pining over her, and now you're not even trying?"
Before Sebastian can respond, the phone rings.
"Have you decided?" Sebastian asks softly.
There is a moment of silence on the other end. "Time and place."
"Alright, I have to go take care of some business," Sebastian says, patting Patrick's shoulder before leaving the office.
Patrick sits at his desk, questioning everything. This is not how it plays out in the novels!
At the Enchanted Dining Restaurant, in a private room, Sebastian, dressed in a light gray shirt, is leisurely cutting his steak. Soon, a hurried figure approaches.
Thud! A file is slapped onto the table.
"Sebastian Vanderbilt, should I consider this a payment for a one-night stand?" Victoria's voice is icy, as cold as winter frost. Receiving a $3,000,000 endorsement contract feels like a blow to her dignity and character.
"This is an apology from a man," Sebastian replies calmly, wiping his mouth and looking at Victoria's heaving chest, he explains with a slight smile. "Like I promised, I will take full responsibility and treat you alright."
"I don't need it!" Victoria firmly rejects, her eyes full of disappointment and disdain. "I thought you were different from those people, but it turns out the blood of a wealthy family runs in your veins, making you foolish enough to think money can solve everything."
At that moment, Victoria is truly disillusioned. She had once fantasized about a sweet love story. Despite being a realist, she had hoped to be the Cinderella to a prince. Sebastian is exceptionally talented, and even Victoria can't deny that she had nearly fallen for him several times in their brief interactions. She isn't sure if she can maintain her composure under his intense pursuit.
But the endorsement contract she received this morning shatters all her illusions and hopes. The $3,000,000 contract feels like an affront to her dignity.
"Didn't you say you wanted to put this behind completely and focus on your career?" Sebastian's gaze is calm as he smiles and says, "Sign it, and I can pretend none of this ever happened."
Unable to be completely detached, he decides to find a reason to end things swiftly. This is his conclusion after careful thought.
"You think money can solve everything?" Victoria's eyes are frosty, and her eyes begin to water with tears of frustration and anger.
"Won't you at least look at it? Apart from the endorsement fee, there's a 5% profit share. I'm betting my reputation that these shoes will be a global hit," Sebastian says confidently. "It would be a win-win situation from any perspective."
Victoria is completely disheartened. After giving Sebastian a deep look, she turns and leaves without a word.
"If you don't sign it, that's fine. This contract will be sent to S Entertainment's business department and kept until you're ready to sign," Sebastian says with a faint smile.
"Never. That time will never come," Victoria says before walking away quickly, not looking back.
"No, you will sign it. Even if you don't sign it now, you'll come to me soon," Sebastian murmurs, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. When he opens his eyes again, they are clear and rational. Although this approach might seem unscrupulous from an emotional standpoint, it is, after all, a way to help her out.
Emotions just give him headaches. Such a simple matter has tormented him for two days. From now on, he'd focus on his career and steer clear of romantic entanglements. Sebastian leaves the restaurant with newfound clarity.
--------------------------
The subprime mortgage crisis hits, triggering a terrifying global financial meltdown.
"Do you really have the gift of foresight?" Garland Blackwood asks incredulously over the phone. Sebastian can't help but chuckle. "Dear Mr. Blackwood, you've asked me this question six times already. I don't think I need to explain further, do I?"
"But no matter how you look at it, it's still incredible," Blackwood says, astonished. "Can you really predict a financial crisis just because of an unprecedented bull market?"
"A false prosperity always masks the crumbling structure beneath," Sebastian explains with a smile. "If you look closely, it's not hard to see. The financial crisis is less about finance and more about the erosion of trust between banks, debtors, and other key players. The sudden bull market was a signal."
"Even so, facing dozens of times the temptation and choosing to pull out—" Blackwood pauses, then sincerely adds, "Sebastian, I really admire you."
"No need for admiration. Just remember, we're partners, and we are in faith of each other on bringing extra profit in our partnership." Sebastian replies. He is well aware that his advantage comes from foresight and is always clear about his strengths.
Soon, he hangs up the phone and returns to work. At this critical moment, there is still much to be done. Not long after, his phone rings again.
Sebastian answers, recognizing the familiar number. He smiles.
He puts the call on speaker and continues working.
After a long silence, a sigh comes from the other end. "You win."
Sebastian takes the phone off speaker, puts it to his ear, and smiles. "Good. Remember to come by the office later to sign the contract."